Students will reward Tinubu’s education reforms at 2027 polls, says culture coalition

Olalekan Smart Edwards, leader of The Natives, a cultural coalition, has commended President Bola Tinubu and Oluremi Tinubu, the first lady, for their recent investments and reforms in the education sector.

Edwards said the gesture will translate into massive student votes for the family in the 2027 elections.

He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja during the unveiling of a magazine and the presentation of an award by the national leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

The Natives, a coalition of different ethnic groups, identified the president’s Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) policy and the first lady’s initiative to raise funds for the completion of the National Library as landmark contributions.

Edwards said previous administrations failed to invest adequately in education, leaving many Nigerians unable to pursue schooling.

“Education, once given, cannot be taken away from you; hence, the Tinubu family deserves commendation,” he said.

“It has now dawned on us. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not a joker. He is a man interested in our future. We fought so that education could be given to us. It’s now given to us freely.

“We see a country that is heading up to be one of the best countries in the world. I am a businessman. I travel around the world. I’m beginning to see light everywhere. People are ready to do business with our country. People are ready to bring in their investments.”

Edwards cited improvements in the oil sector, agriculture, and the environment as evidence of progress.

“The Ogoni University. This man is serious. Look at what he has just done. The Ogoni report. Recognising souls that have been damaged for years. I mean, the president is serious,” he said.

“So if we want to talk to the youth, what we’ll be saying to them is that light is now coming at the end of the tunnel. It is time to cooperate with the government, understand the policies of the government. Those are the critical things. And see how it works for you and your organisation.”

He said the president’s interventions in the education sector will translate into votes during the 2027 polls.

“For that, you can already know there’s no controversy. Bola Ahmed Tinubu should get the students’ vote massively in 2027,” he added.

“The husband has opened up a policy, and the policy is changing lives and allowing students to go to school. And the wife has decided to set up a library to give and add more to education.

“That’s why, on behalf of our organisation, we have decided that I donate six million naira to the library project through the Nigerian students’ body.”